Summer Colorado Roadtrip

Hi everyone!

Two or three friends and I are planning on road tripping from Madison, Wisconsin to Colorado over summer break this year. We haven't set a specific destination in Colorado (we are just thinking about going there, it is our top choice a the moment). Ideally, to minimize cost, we thought about camping at night. During the day we would travel some more to visit mountains, lakes, etc.

Do you know of any scenic parks with free camping? Any suggestions for places to see or to hike are welcome too. (Or any suggestions you have for anything, really!) Thanks!

So much to choose from.

Hi and Welcome to the Great American Roadtrip Forum.

The very best thing you can do right now is to get a good detailed map of Colorado, such as published by AAA. I would also contact the CO tourism authority and ask for a State Map. Their map is excellent.

Not sure you will find anything much in the way of free camping in CO, but there is any amount of very low cost camping in State parks and forests. (Camping spots are marked on most the maps.) Check out the Flat Top Trail and Trappers Lake area. Just one example.

Many of the camping areas are at high elevation and it would be wise to have good quality camping equipment.

You may also benefit from the three or four of you to each do this quiz.